http://www.permies.com/forums/t/70/plants/Anti-fungal-Plant-List-deal
JForum - http://www.jforum.netAnti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot Do any of you know of organic/ecologically friendly ways to deal with such a problem?

My first thought was to plant anti-fungal plants between the strawberries, in the hopes that they combat the fungus. So I've started a list:

mint thyme garlic chives lavender oregano

Any others that I'm missing? Keep in mind that my zone is 5, so the neem plants are out

I had another idea to remove the existing hay mulch and replace with pine needles, since they have anti-fungal properties, and I've seen strawberries growing in our pine forest here. What do you think I should do?]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102086http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102086
Re: Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot Garlic is one of the better choices planted throughout the strawberry bed, but go somewhat heavy on the planting.

For quicker results, pumpkin rind has incredibly strong anti-fungal properties. I cut into chunks, scoop off virtually all of the meat and then whiz in a food processor. Steep in cool water overnight, strain and then spray liberally. I've never measured amounts, but I would guess that I put about 2 cups of pureed pumpkin RIND in a gallon jar with water. Also, keeping indoors (or below 80F) seems to work best. Because you already have an outbreak you will have to hit it pretty hard; every 3 days for at least a couple of weeks intially.

Incidently, this is reportedly good also good on tomatoes and grapes (particularly in humid areas where Black rot is a problem). I've just installed a muscadine vineyard this past spring (not very permaculture like... I know )and this will be my first line of attack should I have problems with them.

Lastly, there is an Organic approved product called PlantShield HC available from lots of places that I have heard good things about for black rot on strawberries.

Good Luck!

Roy]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102151http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102151
Re: Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot Roy]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102152http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/102152
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot Do you know if squash skin works the same as pumpkin?]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104315http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104315
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rothttp://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104346http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104346
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot I couldn't say for sure. Probably acorn squash since it's from the same subfamily. I've only used regular pumpkin.

Roy]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104364http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104364
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot Roy; I'm hoping to get a modest crop of sugar pumpkins in next year so I'll have a supply of skins after that, if my other methods don't pan out.]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104370http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104370
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot another option, that you probably won't be thrilled about, is to grow Fragaria vesca and F. moschata instead of garden strawberries. they hold their berries up off the ground, so rot is rarely an issue. obviously not a solution for your current plants.]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104382http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104382
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot The type of strawberry in question is an everbearing variety, and maybe I'm creating a false memory but I recall that the majority of the berries stayed off the ground. I'm growing them to sell at market and in our CSA, and though I know that the alpine types aren't as small as the more common wild strawberry, I don't see it as being cost-effective to harvest. Maybe I'm wrong?

]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104448http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104448
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot have you had your dirt analyzed? some rots are caused, or at least exacerbated, by deficiencies or imbalances. the most obvious example that comes to mind is calcium and magnesium for blossom end rot in tomatoes.

alpines and musk strawberries are certainly smaller than garden strawberries, and they don't travel particularly well. picking while it's still cool in the morning on market day ought to get them there in decent condition, though. might be worth trying out a small patch of one or both for market research purposes. musks are June-bearing, though they'll sometimes give a late summer crop, too. and both species take two to three years to really get going.]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104484http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104484
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot I'll consider those other types of strawberries Tel. Thanks for your advice.]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104725http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104725
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot

Travis Philp wrote:I think I'm going to remove the hay mulch and replace with woodchips. The chips are from a municipal depot about 5 mins away, and are mostly cedar, pine, and spruce, with random hardwood mixed in. I know there's a risk of walnut and other detrimental wood but I've seen the fresh stuff and it's heavy on the conifers. My other option would be to take some duff layer from the acre of scotts pines and use that but I'd rather avoid 'robbing peter to pay paul' scenario.

I'll consider those other types of strawberries Tel. Thanks for your advice.

I've used pine sawdust under strawberries with good results. the woodchips sound promising. I would get as many of those on the place as you can, for strawberries and elsewhere. shooting for complete coverage with living plants in the long run beats periodic renewal of mulch, at least as far as I'm concerned.]]>http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104730http://www.permies.com/forums/posts/preList/11173/104730
Anti-fungal Plant List/How to deal with Strawberry Blossom Black Rot I just heard about another method of controlling powdery mildew and some types of black and grey mold, which is the use of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). There was one mention in the article for use on strawberries, and this control method is better as a prophylactic measure, so it may be worth exploring. Here is a link to a summary of group of scientific studies which you can read for background info.